Summary of High-Quality CPR
Components for BLS Providers
Component
Verifying scene safety
Recognizing cardiac arrest
Activating emergency
response system
Compression-ventilation
ratio without advanced
airway
Compression-ventilation
ratio with advanced airway
Compression rate
Compression depth
Hand placement
Chest recoil
Minimizing interruptions
*Compression depth should be no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm).
Abbreviations: AED, automated external defibrillator; AP, anteroposterior; CCF, chest compression fraction;
CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
© 2020 American Heart Association
Infants
Adults and Children
(age less than 1 year,
adolescents (age 1 year to puberty)
excluding newborns)
Make sure the environment is safe for rescuers and victim
Check for responsiveness
No breathing or only gasping (ie, no normal breathing)
No definite pulse felt within 10 seconds
(Breathing and pulse check can be performed simultaneously in less than 10 seconds)
If a mobile device is available, phone emergency services (9-1-1)
If you are alone with no Witnessed collapse
mobile phone, leave Follow steps for adults and adolescents on the left
the victim to activate the Unwitnessed collapse
emergency response Give 2 minutes of CPR
system and get the AED
Leave the victim to activate the emergency response system
before beginning CPR
and get the AED
Otherwise, send
Return to the child or infant and resume CPR;
someone and begin CPR
use the AED as soon as it is available
immediately; use the AED
as soon as it is available
1 or 2 rescuers 1 rescuer
30:2 30:2
2 or more rescuers
15:2
Continuous compressions Continuous compressions at a rate of 100-120/min
at a rate of 100-120/min Give 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths/min)
Give 1 breath every
6 seconds (10 breaths/min)
100-120/min
At least 2 inches (5 cm)* At least one third AP At least one third AP
diameter of chest diameter of chest
Approximately 2 inches (5 cm) Approximately 1½ inches (4 cm)
2 hands on the 2 hands or 1 hand 1 rescuer
lower half of the (optional for very 2 fingers or 2 thumbs in the
breastbone (sternum) small child) on the center of the chest, just
lower half of the below the nipple line
breastbone (sternum) 2 or more rescuers
2 thumb–encircling hands in
the center of the chest, just
below the nipple line
If the rescuer is unable to
achieve the recommended
depth, it may be reasonable
to use the heel of one hand
Allow complete recoil of chest after each compression;
do not lean on the chest after each compression
Limit interruptions in chest compressions to less than 10 seconds with a CCF goal of 80%